Steinhart Ocean One GMT Premium Blue Ceramic Review

I just received this watch, and it is easily a huge upgrade versus the previous homage watches I’ve owned. In particular, my go to brand for homage watches has been Pagani Design.

I decided totry Steinhart because of previous reviews, and checking out the brand. By way of comparison, I will be referring to my PD 1661, also a Submariner homage.

To be fair, there is a big price difference. The PD 1661 can be had in multiple color and bracelet options for about $100. Now, these watches really are a bargain for the money - though I would always stick with Seiko movements within the PD offerings. The Steinhart was $740 after upgrading to the jubilee bracelet - though to be fair this also has a GMT function. I was curious if the Steinhart would really be worth the price difference, and possibly fix the minor complaints I have about PD.

Once I had the watch in hand, it was immediately obvious to me that the Steinhart is definitively better than PD and the higher cost is justified. The Steinhart definitely addressed every minor thing I found lacking with PD, and I feel the money was well spent.

One major upgrade is the movement, with the PD using a Seiko NH35, while the Steinhart uses an ETA 2893-2. While the NH35 is a good reliable movement, I have a real love of the ETA2892, and the 2893 is based off that.

Pros:

Finishing of the case is much better than any of the PD’s I own. There are no missed edges that should have been buffed of sharpness.

Bezel action is without play, sharp and definitive. Minimal backlash.

Movement is significantly better visually and in terms of finish.

Crown threads much smoother than any PD I have, winding also.

Cyclops date magnifies less, but is easier to actually read because between the font and magnifier the Steinhart is significantly better. I’ll add pics to show this:

Bracelet fit/mate at the lugs is excellent, without play. PD isn’t nearly as good.

Bracelet is very comfortable, and came with plenty of links. I have a 7 3/4 inch wrist and had to remove three links for proper fit. I think there’s enough links with the watch to fit almost anyone. Also, the bracelet drops straight off the lugs, making this watch a good fit for a lot of wrist sizes. I’ll add a pic:

Clasp is a bit tight to open. However, being new I would prefer this with the expectation that with wear it will get a bit smoother to operate. The clasp didn’t have much play when open and was okay, again better than PD. Also there’s four pin/slot adjustments within the clasp to help get the fit you want.

Suggested Improvments:

It really comes down to the clasp. This should be better, especially considering that switching up to the jubilee incurred a $70 up charge. In particular a size adjustment on the fly ought to be part of the clasp at this price point. Islander Watches has just come out with such a clasp, which used to be more or less reserved to luxury watches. Islander is now at the forefront on this, as far as I see, because they are offering such a clasp on a $350 watch. I don’t have an Islander yet, but this is going to be a driving force to get me to acquire one very soon.

Bottom Line:

If you like Pagani Design but want something much better without paying luxury prices, check out Steinhart. I’ll still keep my PD’s. But I’m probably looking at Steinhart instead of PD going forward because the watch is that much better.